Cap sterilizer and can-centering plate for can-sealing machines



Apr. 3, 1923.

A. N. CRAMER CAP STERI'LIZER AND CAN GENTERING PLATE FOR CAN SEALINGMACHINES 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Mar.

(2 2: 7?, I INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Apr. 3, 1923. 1,450,356

A. N. CRAMER v CAP STERILIZ -ER 'AND CAN CENTERING PLATEFOR CAN SEALINGMACHINES Filed Mar. 11, 1918 2 sheets-sheet 2 I I f 7 /4 W V I N VENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

Patented A t. 3, 1923.

UNITED STATES ALBERT N. CRAMER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

CAP STERILIZER AND CAN-CENTERIN G PLATE FOR CAN-SEALING MACHINES;

Application filed March 11, 1913.

To all whom it may cont-em:

Be it known that I, ALBERT N. GRAMER, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State ofOhio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in CapSterilizers and Can-Centering Plates for Can-Sealing Machines, of whichthe tol V moved into position below lowing is a specification.

My invention comprises a combined cap sterilizer and can centering platefor can sealing machines and is in the nature of a plate for attachmentto a machine for sealing the ends of cans. This attachment isconstructed to support a stack of caps and at the same time provide aguideway having a pusher tongue reciprocable therein, the

structure being such that the caps may be successively selected andmoved along a centering plate to a position immediately above the canwhich is to be capped. These cans are likewise intended to besuccessively an opening in the centering plate and then to be elevatedso that they plate, the-top this centering being then subjected to thesealing means.

My invention is particularly novel in its apphcation of a means forsubjecting the stack of caps to a directly applied sterilizing medium,and further subjecting each cap, in its travel to its position ofapplication and then while in such position to thesteril1zing medium.

he preferred embodiment of my invention is shown in theaccompanying-drawings wherein similar characters of reference designatecorresponding parts, and wherein- Figure 1 is a plan view of my improvedcenteringv plate, detached and with the pusher tongue removed, showingthe manner of conducting the'sterilizing medium to the stack of caps andto each cap during its movement along its guideway.

Figure 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an assembly view showing the relation of the centering plateto the sealing apparatus.-

In the drawings, the centering plate'l is taken online 3-3 of Serial No.221,786.

of a substantially arcuate form. and is intended to be secured inposition by bolts passing through bolt holes 2. At one end, there isprovided a circular aperture 3; of slightly less diameter than the .capto be applied and having a shoulder 4 to ensure centering of the flangedcap. Leading to this circu ar aperture 3 there is a slideway 5 in theupper face of the late whose cross-section is of a contour con ormingwith the caps which are to be pushed alon it. This slideway is furtherprovided Wlth. a depressed portion 6 within which operates a pushertongue (not shown). At the end of the centering plate opposite to theend containing the clrcular aperture and in communication with slideway5 is a circular depression 7 within which is supported the stack of caps8 shown in Figure 4. It will be apparent that the caps descend bygravity as each bottom cap is removed by the pusher'tongue, while thispusher tongue successively moves the caps into position above theopening 3.

Depending from the walls of the aperture 3 and forming a part thereof isan annular chamber 9 having a series of regularly spaced outlet ports 10so positioned that a fluid introduced into this annular chamber willescape through such ports and contact with the under surfaces of eachcap when it is in position above the aperture 3. Likewise the walls ofthe slideway 5 are ported as at 11. Thus, a fluid directed through theseports 10 and 11 will contact with the under surfaces of the moving capandthe lower cap of the stack, causing a. gradual heating of the capsin'the stack before they are presented to the direct action, of thetreating medium. I

As a sterilizing medium I prefer to use steam at-a high temperature andthis steam at a high temperature is' introduced through the pipe 12 (seeFigure 4) and is conducted k p p 12 at a high temperature and from thisseeFigure 2). 4 i

12 it passes to the branches 13 and M, by connections not shown. When itleaves these branches it is directed with considerable force so as tohave a washing action upon the bottom of each cap, this Washing actionbeing practically continuous from the moment the cap reaches the bottomof the stack until it is lifted by the can. As this can moves intoposition for lifting the cap, its upper edge is likewise sterilized.

The device is particularly important in connection with a sterilizingsystem wherein the product is sterilized in open vessels and it isnotable because it provides sterile surfaces for centering such vesselsand sterilizes the caps and vessel heads completely and automaticallywith very little, if any, superfluous mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, what it claim is:

1. A. can centering plate embodying means for sterilizing the upper endof a can.

2. A can centering plate embodying means for sterilizing a cap and theupper end of a can.

3. A can centering plate comprising a cap slideway with ducts leadingthereto for the incense discharge at a sterilizing medium onto a cappassing through said slideway.

4;. In combination with a can centering plate having cooperatingtherewith a means for holding a stack of caps, a cap sterilizingmechanism forming a part thereof and com prising means for directingstreams of a fluid sterilizing medium against the caps while stacked andduring movement into position to close the cans.

5. In combination with a can centering plate, a cap slideway in saidplate, and ducts in the walls of said slideway for the discharge of asterilizing medium therethrough.

6. sterilizing apparatus comprising a can centering plate with anaperture into which thecans are passed, and means for sprayingsuch cansfrom the walls of said aperture.

7. A centering plate comprising means for sterilizing a cap and thensupporting it in position for application to a can.

In testimony whereof I hereby at'tix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

' ALBERT N. CRAMER. vll'itnesses2 F. Lannnnm, Jnssrn L, Jomnn.

